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Rank Requirements:

Levels of Swordsmanship in the Western Circle of Sword Fighters

Guest -
  Be interviewed by a Kaiden, Watch 2 classes, then participate in two classes consecutively. Also have a knowledge of the Western Circle as obtained from this website.
 
Level 1:
TRAINEE -
  All current sword students with 0-3 months of consecutive training, OSC.,Sword Book (own one)
 
Level 2:
GREEN BRAID - Swordsman -
  Resting position, Defensive stance, Basic cuts, Basic blocks, Cutting pattern, 7 practiced moves, The The six traditions, The three types of moves, The Three rules of swordsmanship, 200 logged battles, 3 months of consecutive training, Own a bokken, TOSC, Sword Etiquette, Sword book (handwritten log & tome),Striding and Leaping, Non-weapon combat (1 session), 1 WCoS fighting event or equivalent.

** Must wear dalmater for class and may wear a WCoS shirt **
 
Level 3:
WHITE ROPE - Trained Swordsman -
  Warrior stance, Basic strikes, Basic blocks, Cutting pattern 2, 12 practiced moves, Kata Ich, 500 logged battles, Combat movement, Sword Book (accurate log), Dagger fighting, one story, dodging 1, balance 1, Armor (Body, helmet & gloves), 3 WCoS fighting events, Non-weapon combat (2 sessions)

**Upon reaching L3, White ropes have the ability to fight in other circles with Kaiden's permission
Students may also begin non-combat steel training**
 
Level 4:
RED ROPE - Skilled Swordsman -
  Jo-Dan stance, Chop cuts, Advanced blocks, 15 practiced moves, the 13th move, Kata Ni, Refined strikes, Centered cuts, 1000 logged battles, Altered terrain combat, All weather fighting, Night fighting (25 battles), Control, Endurance, Dagger throwing, Parrying-ability to teach it, Second weapon training (2 sessions), Dodging 2*, Balance 2, Sword making, 5 logged full contact matches with a Kaiden, Scenario combat, Steel (the possession of), 5 WCoS fighting events, Non-weapon combat (10 Total hours of training), The 6th tradition- provide Sanctuary.

** Upon reaching L4, swordman have The ability to fight Live Steel, strike to the hands (once trained) and fight in other circles at their own discretion.
They may also take the Black Braid Requirements**
 
Level 5:
THE CRIMSON CHAIN (RED ROPE II) - Proficient Swordsman -
RED RING - Sword Dancer - (Black Belt Equivalent)
  Resting death stance, 6 deflections, 20 practiced moves, Cutting pattern 3, 1,500 logged battles, First Aid training, The 20 minute Non-stop battle, Non-weapon combat (20 Total hours)Proficiencies (You must meet 2 of the following 6 proficiencies);
  1. Sword Dancing - skilled in the art of the circle - The Silent Sword, The Death Dance, The Solo Dance.
  2. Field Medicine - skilled in the art of the healer - obtain an EMT certification or higher in the state you reside and be in the possession of a full medical kit.
  3. Staff Fighting - skilled in the art of the stave - defensive stance, eight strikes, six blocks, cutting pattern 1 against sword, 5 moves, 50 matches.
  4. Steel Combat - skilled in the art of steel - centered cuts and be a L2 steel qualified swordsman.
  5. Marshaling - skilled in the art of the match - marshal three events, 4 hours tutelage from a Kaiden and 100 marshaled battles.
  6. The Complete Blade - skilled in the art of the second sword - must relearn all requirements up to White Rope with either 1 or 2-handed sword.

** Upon reaching L5, the swordman may now begin to thrust to the face, once trained. They may be awarded the rank of full Kaiden by the Head Kaiden and can take the Black Chain requirements **
 
Level 6:
SILVER CHAIN - Advanced Swordsman -
SILVER RING - Advanced Sword Dancer -
  Battle stance, Draw cuts, Expert blocks, Cutting Pattern 4 - a pattern of the student's design, 25 practiced moves, 2,000 logged battles, 100 melees, Precision strikes (r. s. 2), Must be able to fight in a 2nd style, Chess, Enhanced control (all types of sparring), Run one day of fighting, Balance 3, Dodging 3*, Battle pack or medical kit, Master the maze, Full armor (body, shins, elbows, bracers, gorget, and upper arm protection), 5 full speed/full contact matches, Non-weapon combat (30 total hours), The Journey (12 mile hike with Kaiden), Multi-competition parry - ability to teach it, 7 WCoS fighting events

** Upon reaching L6, the swordsman may target all areas of the body, except the base of the skull (which can never be targeted by any swordsman) **
 
Level 7:
COPPER CHAIN - Expert swordsman -
COPPER RING - Expert Sword Dancer -
  Advanced stance, Short circle cuts, 30 practiced moves, 3,000 logged battles (all battles fought to this point), Complete four of the six proficiencies, Surgeon cuts/Cathan (100 clean matches), Strategy, Balance 4 (20 minutes on the rope), Live steel (L4), Kata Shi (Kata of the student's design), Advanced night skill, Honor dress (good armor), Blind training (10 hours, 25 battles,1 full day blindfolded, Balance 1), Teaching experience (20 hours or 8 classes), Cutting, Advanced response training, Multi-competition (50 battles), Scenario command, Non-weapon combat (40 Total hours), Multi-style, The Retreat (journey), The Duel, 10 WCoS fighting events

********** KAIDEN'S REQUIREMENT - LEARN ADVANCED FIRST AID AND POSSESS A FIELD MEDICAL KIT APPROVED BY A WCOS MEDICAL OFFICER **********